Method for the production of rubber or elastic yarn filaments



March 12, 1940. T. L. SHEPHERD METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RUBBER 0R ELASTIC YARN FILAMENTS Filed April 17, 1955 5,- %Mm wag Patented Mar. 12, 1940 UNITED s'rrss Thomas Lewis Shepherd, London, England Application April 17, 1935, Serial No. 16,925 In Great Britain April 18, 1934 4. Claims. (01. 18-54) This invention relates to elastic or rubber yarn filaments or threads and methods for the production and manufacture thereof.

Briefly stated, the invention consists in extruding a coagulating liquid or solution through an opening or openings into or through a bath containing latex, mixed with comminuted' material, such as cotton, artificial silk or W001 flocks.

The invention includes a modification in which the coagulating liquid or solution contains a dyestulf or other colouring matter.

The invention also consists in rubber or elastic yarn filaments or thread and methods for the production thereof substantially as hereinafter set forth.

In carrying the invention into eifect in one form by way of example, a very thin stream or thread of a suitable coagulant (for example a 5% to 25% acetic acid solution) is led into a bath containing latex of a suitable strength, mixed with commmuted material such as cotton, artificial silk or wool flocks. N

As soon as the stream of coagulant enters the latex mixture, a coagulation process takes place in and around the fine stream of coagulant and a thread is formed. This thread is drawn for a suitable distance through the aforesaid latex.

bath so as to enable the liquid rubber to adhere properly to the already formed core which has still a coagulating influence and when this is done the thread is lifted from the bath and is then led away for further treatment.

' Such furthertreatment may consist in stretching before setting or in conversion into a temporary non-elongating thread.

In carrying the invention into effect according to a modification, the coagulating stream is dyed, with the resultant eiiect that the thread or filament coagulated by it takes on the dye which works its way from the core to the surface of the thread.

In carrying the invention into effect according to a further modification, the latex in the bath is dyed in any required shade or it may be mixed with cellulosenitrate, acetate or cellulose esters or equivalent synthetic or natural resins according to what properties it may be desired the resultant yarn.

In carrying the invention into effect according to a further modification, along with the coagulating stream a core thread consisting of spun glass, paper, the latex bath so to ensure a temporary nonelongating rubber thread which may have the property of being able to be so treated again that it may be made elongating, as and when desired.

In carrying the invention into efiect according to a still further modification, the latex to give or the like is run through 1 thread, leaving the latex bath and still tacky, is dusted or run through finely comminuted material, such asfiocks, fine cotton, silk or'artificial silk dust and the like. The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanyin drawing in which:

Figure 1 illustrates theformation of a thread,

Figure 2 illustrates such formation when a solid core is used.

In Figures 1 and 2, I is a pipe by which liquid coagulant is introduced, 2 is a bath of latex throughout which comminuted textile material 'is dispersed, and 3 is a nozzle bore. The thread which is formed is denoted by i, and inthe case of the process shown in Figure 2 it includes a core which is unwound from a roll. 6 is a box containing additional comminuted material.

General strength of the latex bath, i. e., the amount of dry rubber content which it contains and by the length of travel of the coagulating thread whilst in the latex bath.

Processes as described above may be employed to yield a thread which can be woven into a fabric without further protective anti-friction covering. The coagulation process appears to take place gradually from the core of the mixed thread assuring the formation of rubber'or mixed particles round this core without the presence of any of the fluid which carries these particles Whilst in latex form. The latex may be of ordinary plantation or natural strength, i. e. having a dried rubber content approaching only, i

but other-substances commonly referred to as latex including latex; containing compounds may be employed.

,I claim:

1. A process of making rubber thread which includesinjecting a coagulant in a fine stream into rubber latex containing comminuted fibrous material dispersed therein to generate from such latex and fibrous material a coherent filament, and withdrawing said filament from the latex.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the latex also contains a cellulose derivative dispersed therein.

3. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the latex also contains synthetic resins dispersed therein.

4. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which with the coagulant there is also run into the latex a solid thread core, upon which the latex is coagulated by the coagulant.

THOMAS LEWIS SHEPHERD. 

